Pope Receives Honorary 10th Dan in Taekwondo... Smiles, "I Could Play Tennis in This Uniform"

World Taekwondo Federation Presents Highest Honorary Dan Certificate to Pope Leo XIV
Refugee Child Athletes Also Attend Audience

Pope Leo XIV, who enjoys sports in his daily life, has become an honorary Taekwondo black belt holder.

On the 3rd (local time) at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, who received an honorary 10th Dan Taekwondo certificate, is taking a commemorative photo with Chojongwon, President of the World Taekwondo Federation (WT). Vatican Media Photo

The World Taekwondo Federation (WT) announced that President Chungwon Choi paid a courtesy visit to Pope Leo XIV during the general audience held at the Vatican on the 3rd (local time), presenting him with an honorary 10th dan certificate and a uniform. The honorary 10th dan is the highest honor in Taekwondo, and WT explained that it was awarded to recognize the Pope’s dedication to promoting world peace and humanitarian activities.

While presenting the certificate and uniform, President Choi jokingly told the Pope, “You could even play tennis wearing the uniform.” The Pope responded with a bright smile. Leo XIV is known to possess a high level of tennis skills.

Seven refugee athletes aged 7 to 14 from the Azraq and Zaatari refugee camps in Jordan also attended the audience. All of these children were born and raised in refugee camps, and this is their first time traveling abroad. After receiving the honorary certificate and uniform, the Pope took commemorative photos with the children.

The refugee athletes will participate in the “Kim & Liu Tournament,” a youth Taekwondo competition to be held at Foro Italico in Rome from the 5th to the 7th. The Pope expressed his gratitude for the refugee support activities conducted by WT and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), and said that meeting athletes from refugee camps was a great joy for him.

On the 3rd (local time), Pope Leo XIV is taking a commemorative photo with Taekwondo athletes from a Jordanian refugee camp in the Vatican. Photo by Vatican Media

This is the second time that WT has awarded the honorary 10th dan to a pope. President Choi also presented an honorary 10th dan Taekwondo certificate to former Pope Francis in 2017.

The audience was also attended by Yang Jinbang, Vice President of WT; Seo Jeonggang, Secretary General of WT; Maher Magableh, President of the Oceania Taekwondo Union; Angelo Cito, President of the Italian Taekwondo Federation; and Yoon Woongseok, President of Kukkiwon.

In the afternoon, a Taekwondo demonstration was held at the Spanish Steps in Rome. The demonstration team showcased aerial breaking and poomsae, receiving applause from thousands of tourists at the site.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.